Thursday, 5 May 2011

'Serving MP is protected by super-injunction'

A serving MP has taken out a super-injunction preventing details of their activities being exposed, it was claimed in the House of Commons today.

The allegation was made in the Commons as MPs discussed future Parliamentary business - including whether to debate judge-made privacy laws and gagging orders.

The issue was raised by Conservative MP for Hendon, Matthew Offord who said: "There has been much public discussion on the increasing use of super-injunctions and the ability of judges to decide policy instead of elected Parliamentarians.

"Is the Leader of the House aware of the anomaly this creates if, as has been rumoured, a member of this place seeks a super-injunction to prevent discussion of their activities?"

He urged the Government to set aside time for a Commons debate on gagging orders.

Sir George replied: "This is a very important issue about how we balance on the one hand an individual's right to privacy and, on the other hand, the freedom of expression and transparency."

He said an inquiry by senior judge Lord Neuberger, the Master of the Rolls, would examine super-injunctions "and other issues relating to injunctions which bind the Press".

Sir George added: "The Government will await the report from the Master of the Rolls before deciding the next step, and it may then be appropriate for the House to have a debate on this important issue."

About Me

I am a freelance journalist based in the UK and was deputy editor of Press Gazette, the journalists' magazine, from 1993 until 2006. I want to give an independent view on media matters.
You can contact me with stories, ideas and comments by email at jon.slattery369@btinternet.com You can also follow me on Twitter @jonslattery